Authors:Saira Farooqi; Ghulam Abid; Alia AhmedPages: 69 - 80Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Saira Farooqi, Ghulam Abid, Alia Ahmed Whistleblowers are ostracized and isolated for identifying wrongdoings. Despite this deterrent, the whistleblowers have not recoiled. Nonetheless, organizations need to develop an ethical corporate culture, where employees become ‘ethical partners’ and do the right thing, not because they have to, but because they want to. The study aimed to measure the effects of ethical cultural practices using the lens of Kaptein's (2008) Corporate Ethical Virtues Model (CEVM). Split Questionnaire Survey Design (SDSD) was chosen to record responses of 104 internal auditors working in nine public and sixteen private sector organizations. Results reveal significant positive relationships between whistleblowing and the CEVM virtues.

Authors:Mehdi Kheirandish; Hamed Abbaszadeh Avilagh; Najmeh NazemiPages: 81 - 92Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Mehdi Kheirandish, Hamed Abbaszadeh Avilagh, Najmeh Nazemi Understanding obstacles in front of communication system has turned into a critical task executed by managers. Present study analyzes major vulnerabilities to organizational communication from structural, behavioral and contextual aspects. The statistical population includes employees and managers in the headquarters of National Iranian Oil Company. After assessing the validity and reliability of a conceptual model, we used Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, T-test and F-test for analyzing our data. The results show that priority of communication barriers are as follows: structural elements like centrality and formality. Contextual elements like cultural and technical barriers and finally behavioral elements like perceptual and human barriers.

Authors:Amal Abou Fayad; Razan Ayoub; Maysam AyoubPages: 93 - 98Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Amal Abou Fayad, Razan Ayoub, Maysam Ayoub The present study investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance (FB) of Lebanese banks. Based on panel data of seven Lebanese banks, a positive relation between CSR and financial performance have been found. The research findings contribute to understand that Lebanese performant banks would adopt volunteer actions that promote social responsibility actions. Moreover, highest profit lead for a better image and legitimacy once the investments are made into human, economic, community development and environmental protection.

Authors:Hadia FakhrEldinPages: 99 - 108Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Hadia FakhrEldin The study investigates the effect of emotional intelligence (EI) of entrepreneurs on new venture creation (NVC). A self-administered questionnaire is used to test the study hypothesis on a sample of 378 Egyptian entrepreneurs. The analysis shows that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and new venture creation. There are three constructs of EI (interpersonal skills, internal motivation and self-awareness), which support the creation of new ventures. The results of the empirical study are validated using demographic characteristics (age and gender) and the motivation of entrepreneurship (necessity-driven or opportunity-driven). The findings show that age has a moderating effect on the relationship between EI and NVC, whereas gender does not play a role in this relationship. There are differences in the relationship between emotional intelligence and new venture creation based on the motivation to engage in entrepreneurship. Although the relationship is significant in the cases of both necessity-driven and opportunity-driven entrepreneurs, the dimensions/constructs of EI that support the new venture creation are different in each case.

Authors:Mohamad Sabri bin Haron; Naima Ismail. H. Aldaikey; Abdul Rahim AhmadPages: 109 - 120Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Mohamad Sabri bin Haron, Naima Ismail. H. Aldaikey, Abdul Rahim Ahmad This study aims to identify the reality of Micro-finance projects in Libya and evaluating the reason of failure in financing procedures used for funding the small projects associated with North Africa Bank. In addition to that the study discusses the forming, functions, and capabilities of Sharia Supervisory Board. The number of participants equal (400) employees from branches of the bank. The instruments for collecting data is questionnaire. The result showed deficiency in financing procedures for funding mall projects in Libya, also the absence of Islamic standards in the general financing policy of the bank that help investors to select the right project matching Islamic principles in finance. It is concluded that the bank needs for financing standards to be applied by the supervisory board inside the bank. While the bank depends on Murabaha only. Therefore, the study recommends to use a general finance guideline which organizes the financing procedures as well as the bank should define the means for Islamic finance adopted by the bank to help employees applying these procedures appropriately so that to enhance the reputation of the bank.

Authors:Ghada Salem; Andre AzouryPages: 121 - 127Abstract: Publication date: December 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 2 Author(s): Ghada Salem, Andre Azoury Lebanon is characterised by a touristic industry, making of it the highest touristic destination in the Arab world before 1975, the year in which Lebanon's civil war has erupted, a war from which Lebanon still suffers until now. Moreover, Lebanon suffers from internal political conflicts and the repercussions of the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, the latest of which is the Syrian war. While the crises in Lebanon prevail- from political, security, economic, social to even environmental - Lebanese policymakers are still seeking to make out of Lebanon a country considered as a touristic one, and are working on achieving a sustainable touristic development. In this context, this study tackles the crisis that Lebanon is experiencing as a result of forced Syrian displacement into its territory, and sheds light on its negative and positive effects on Lebanese tourism. The study also aims to determine the effectiveness of sustainable tourism development in times of crisis, based on the study of Lebanese touristic data during a specific period of time.

Authors:Shakeel Ahmad Sofi; Fayaz Ahmad NikaPages: 29 - 43Abstract: Publication date: June 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 1 Author(s): Shakeel Ahmad Sofi, Fayaz Ahmad Nika The primary aim of the current research was to study the effect of various intrinsic factors on consumer decision making vis-à-vis impulsive buying tendencies. After employing EFA and CFA on 630 consumers in the different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, results showed that intrinsic factors significantly influence the Impulsive Buying Decision. The application of Structural Equation Modeling disintegrated intrinsic factors into positive and negative influencers of impulsive buying behaviour. The present study has significant bearing in consumer world as it has highlighted through a model for how intrinsic factors shape the buying tendencies of a young consumer. Through the application of Multi Group Analysis, a comparison has been drawn between impulsive buying behaviour and various intrinsic factors across males and females taken as two different consumer groups. Overall results have been found significant and could well be adopted for strategy making by various stake holders in the field of consumer psychology and consumer behaviour to figure out the effects of intrinsic factors on buying behaviour.

Authors:Samar Zgolli; Imed ZaiemPages: 44 - 56Abstract: Publication date: June 2017 Source:Arab Economic and Business Journal, Volume 12, Issue 1 Author(s): Samar Zgolli, Imed Zaiem In this research, we examine the effect of extroversion and the perceived similarity on customer to customer interaction (CCI), and the effect of this interaction on the tourists’ reactions. We examine also the moderating role of the nationality in CCI and tourists behavior. The study is based on a sample of 519 tourists from different nationalities (Tunisian, French, German, British and Italian tourists) residing in hotels in Tunisia. The results show that extroversion and the perceived similarity contribute to the development of the interactions between customers, and that this type of interaction influences the tourists’ behavioral responses (desire of stay, satisfaction and loyalty). Similarly, the results indicate that the tourist's nationality moderates the relation between CCI and tourists’ reactions. Managers should have a clear and explicit strategic position in terms of interactions with customers. They can put forward their position by valuing and inciting the relationships between customers in terms of distraction, help or information.